About

We are a Vermont company that produces artisanal raw cow's milk cheeses with milk received from a single local herd that we continually monitor for quality. All of our milk comes from a farm that engages in the best dairy practices and humane treatment of their livestock. Only the finest and freshest milk goes into our cheeses. We are also dedicated to the ideas and philosophies of the slow food movement; knowing where your food comes, how it is made, and to the preservation of the working landscapes of Vermont. Your patronage will help ensure that future.

Our line of granular curd cheeses are true American heritage cheeses made to the same exacting recipe that the first European settlers brought with them to the New World.

Process

Granular curd cheese is very rare and time intensive, and to our knowledge Plymouth Artisan Cheese may be the only cheesemaker that still produces this distinctive American heritage cheese and makes it available to the public. The art of achieving the rich open bodied texture of granular curd cheese is through the skillful cutting and continuous stirring of the curds, both mechanically and manually. This process takes hours and is still used today to produce this authentic American heritage cheese. Although granular curd cheeses were widely made throughout the colonies this practice slowly died out over time and was replaced by the factory process.

The secret to making great cheese is to get the best and highest quality raw milk supply that you can. At Plymouth Artisan Cheese we use only the finest Vermont raw cow's milk free of any additives, ant-biotics or rBST. We source our milk supply from a single dairy herd in close proximity to the cheese factory so we can not only ensure consistent quality, but also that we use the freshest milk possible.

The quality of the raw milk that we make our cheeses from is also dependent on what the animals are fed and how they are treated. The milk that goes into our cheeses comes only from livestock that is humanely treated and where only the best dairy practices are employed. All of these factors are important if you are going to get the highest quality milk to make the finest artisan cheese. We are confident that once you have tasted our cheeses you will appreciate and understand our constant attention to detail and our dedication to promoting and sustaining the natural environment here in Vermont.

History

The Plymouth Cheese factory is one of the oldest cheese enterprises in the United States - producing high quality and distinctive artisan cheeses for over 124 years. The factory still occupies the same site and building as it did when it was started in 1890 in Plymouth, Vermont by John Coolidge, father of Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President of the United States.

When John Coolidge sited his cheese factory in Plymouth, Vermont, Plymouth Cheese as we know it today was born. The Plymouth Cheese Factory operated until 1934 when the factory was closed due to a milk shortage caused the the Great Depression.

As of 2009, Jesse Werner is the new cheese maker and steward of this cheese making tradition. He has once again started making Plymouth Cheese to the same exacting standards that such a pedigreed American heritage cheese demands.

Our Cheesemaker

Jesse Werner is an artisanal cheesemaker and all of his cheeses are produced in small batches and aged on site.

In 2008-2009 Jesse attended the Vermont Institute of Artisanal Cheese (VIAC), University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont, where he studied artisan cheese making which included, but not by way of limitation, all aspects of artisanal cheese production including Chemistry, Microbiology, Cultures and Design of Artisanal Cheeses. Jesse apprenticed with Marc Andre St. Yves of Fromager Conseil ENC/INTERNATIONAL , and designs and develops his own cheeses, in addition to the distinctive granular curd, at the cheese factory. Besides making cheese, Jesse has been working with various agencies of the State of Vermont for job training initiatives and cost sharing for his employees, as well as the Vermont Agricultural Department. In addition, he has been working with other Vermont artisanal cheese makers and most importantly with marketers of Vermont cheeses. He is developing synergistic business relationships with these entities and planning his production goals to coincide with their requirements, as one part of his marketing plan.

The public is invited to visit the Plymouth Cheese Factory and watch Jesse and his assistants as they create Plymouth Cheese. There are viewing windows to observe the art of the cheesemaker and, more often than not, Jesse will come out and answer questions about Plymouth cheese and the work required to produce this unique artisan product.

Hand Waxed Blocks

Cave Aged Wheels

Cheese Curds

Merch

Gift Boxes

Cheese

Original Plymouth

8oz., $10.00

Smoked

8 oz. , $10.00

East Meadow

8oz., $10.00

Garlic Peppercorn

8oz., $10.00

Hot Pepper

Sale!, $8.00

Sage and Herbs

8oz., $10.00

Hunter

8 oz, $10.00

Plymouth Tomme

New Release! 1 lb. wedge, $22.00

Red, White and Blue

Sale! 1 lb. wedge, $18.00

Plymouth Big Blue

Sale! 1 lb. wedge, $18.00

Cheese

Merch

Gift Boxes

Gift Box - 3 items

made in Vermont wooden gift box, $50.00

Gift Box - 6 items

made in Vermont wooden gift box, $80.00

Maple Syrup Tin - Cylinder

Our own small-batch Vermont Pure, $10.00

Maple Syrup Tin - Square

Our own small-batch Vermont Pure, $10.00

Maple Syrup Tin - Log Cabin

Our own small-batch Vermont Pure, $10.00

Gift Boxes

Cheese

Merch

Grace's Choice T Shirt

Unisex, Backview, $25.00

Grace's Choice T Shirt

Unisex, Frontview, $25.00

Plymouth Chocolate T Shirt

Backview, Unisex, $22.00

Plymouth Navy T Shirt

Unisex, Frontview, $22.00

Plymouth Trucker Hat

One Adjustable Size, $20.00

Original Plymouth

8oz., $10.00

This is our signature cheese, revived from an original 1890's Vermont recipe. A full bodied mature cheese with extremely well developed flavors that has been aged to bring it out of its full potential. It is a sharp cheese with notes of butter, fruit and nuts.

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Smoked

8 oz. , $10.00

Smoked is created using a traditional Vermont hickory smoking technique. Smoked has a rich and smoky flavor that uniquely compliments the texture of Orignal Plymouth.

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East Meadow

8oz., $10.00

East Meadow has rich texture with buttery flavors and hints of clover and wildflowers. It has a smooth and open bodied appearance, providing a long and pleasant finish. Aged 3-4 months.

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Garlic Peppercorn

8oz., $10.00

This cheese has green peppercorns, onion, garlic, & red pepper added to its original recipe, resulting in wonderful smooth creamy & complex flavors. This is a great variety to cook with, as it is great in omelettes, macaroni & cheese, sandwiches, etc. Garlic Peppercorn is aged 3 months.

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Hot Pepper

Sale!, $8.00

This is our classic stirred curd with jalapeno & habanero chili peppers added. Medium Heat, but still has a kick! Aged 3-4 months.

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Sage and Herbs

8oz., $10.00

A savory classic, with the addition of sage, thyme, rosemary, lavender, and oregano. Sage and Herbs is aged 3-4 months.

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TEst

test, $10.00

TEst TEst

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TEst

test, $10.00

test es test set

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Gift Box - 3 items

made in Vermont wooden gift box, $50.00

Original Plymouth (Red)

Hot Pepper (Orange)

East Meadow (Yellow)

Smoked (Brown)

Garlic Peppercorn (Green)

Sage and Herbs (Purple)

Hunter (Black)

Square Tin Maple Syrup

Cylinder Tin Maple Syrup

Log Cabin Tin Maple Syrup

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Hunter

8 oz, $10.00

Hunter is the sharpest version of our classic orginal.

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Plymouth Tomme

New Release! 1 lb. wedge, $22.00

Plymouth at its most refined. The Tomme is pure, delicate, and clean. It has a supple texture and a sweet, milky profile. Woody and earthy, with notes of green olive.

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Red, White and Blue

Sale! 1 lb. wedge, $18.00

Red foil envelops an ivory cheese that is streaked with blue veins and punctuated with irregular holes and small eyes. R,W&B has a smooth, creamy texture and mild peppery accents. It is clean, fresh and original.

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Plymouth Big Blue

Sale! 1 lb. wedge, $18.00

Plymouth Big Blue showcases a thin stony rind surrounding a moist but dense cheese. With patches of small blue eyes, the texture is creamy, bold and rich with an herbaceous tang and a long finish. Its flavor develops steadily, becoming spicier as it ages.

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Grace's Choice T Shirt

Unisex, Backview, $25.00

Grace's Choice T-Shirt in Black. Available is Men and Women's sizes : Small-XXLarge. Please specify size when ordering in the comments!

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Grace's Choice T Shirt

Unisex, Frontview, $25.00

Grace's Choice T Shirt in Black. Available is Men and Women's sizes : Small-XXLarge. Please specify size when ordering in the comments!

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Plymouth Chocolate T Shirt

Backview, Unisex, $22.00

Plymouth Logo T Shirt in Chocolate. Available is Men's sizes : Small-XXLarge. Please specify size when ordering in the comments!

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Plymouth Navy T Shirt

Unisex, Frontview, $22.00

Plymouth Logo T Shirt in Navy. Available is Men's sizes : Small-XXLarge. Please specify size when ordering in the comments!

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Gift Box - 6 items

made in Vermont wooden gift box, $80.00

Original Plymouth (Red)

Hot Pepper (Orange)

East Meadow (Yellow)

Smoked (Brown)

Garlic Peppercorn (Green)

Sage and Herbs (Purple)

Hunter (Black)

Square Tin Maple Syrup

QTY

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Maple Syrup Tin - Cylinder

Our own small-batch Vermont Pure, $10.00

QTY

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We'll ask for shipping info at checkout

Maple Syrup Tin - Square

Our own small-batch Vermont Pure, $10.00

QTY

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Plymouth Trucker Hat

One Adjustable Size, $20.00

Our very own Plymouth Red and White Trucker Hatt!

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Maple Syrup Tin - Log Cabin

Our own small-batch Vermont Pure, $10.00

8.45 oz

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Plymouth Cheese in the Press

Awards

2014 - Big E Cheese Competition - Eastern States Exposition

Gold Medal for Red, White & Blue

Gold Medal for Plymouth Big Blue

Gold Medal for Garlic Peppercorn

Gold Medal for Smoked

Silver Medal for East Meadow

Silver Medal for Grace's Choice

Bronze Medal for Hot Pepper

2014 - American Cheese Society

Second Place Ribbon for Red, White & Blue in the Blue Vein Natural Rind category

2013 - Big E Cheese Competition - Eastern States Exposition

Gold Medal for Grace’s Choice in the Washed Rind category

Bronze Medal for Plymouth Smoked in the Smoked Cheese category

Bronze Medal for Plymouth Hot Pepper in the Flavored category

2012 - American Cheese Society

Second Place Ribbon for Plymouth Original in the Original Recipe category